Provenance, Winter 2023

PROVENANCE

Thenewsletterof Pierre Laclede Honors College attheUniversityofMissouri-St.Louis

Provenance Contributors

Provenance isastudent-producedpublicationof thePierreLacledeHonorsCollege.Itsgoalisto helpkeepalumniandfriendsconnectedwiththe college,currentstudents,andeachother.

Our Fall 2022 Provenance Staff:

DomiBell,Anthropology,classof2024

MimiBradley,Biology,classof2023

EveKozlovskaya.PoliticalScience,classof2022

AshleyLakey,Biology,classof2025

MckenzieLamos,Biology,classof2024

MaggieRaymer,BusinessAdministration,classof 2024

SophieYereshcenko,InternationalBusiness,class of2025

DanGerth,FacultyAdvisor,Directorof Student ServicesandAlumniRelations

Whichversionof Provenance doyouprefer?Areyoureading thisonlineandpreferphysicalmedia?Areyoureadingahard copyandprefertheelectroniceditionforeasieraccesstoweb links?ContactDanGerthatgerthd@umsl.eduifyouwouldlikea versionof Provenance otherthantheformyouarereading.

Click below for past issues of Provenance:

1-3 credit hours ARR

Gerth, D.

Interestedindevelopingyourwriting,communication,ordesignskills?Wanttohelpnurturetherelationshipbetween alumniandthePLHCstudents,faculty,andstaff? Provenance islookingforstudentsforSpringorFall2023.Youwillbepart ofateamthatdevelopsideasforfuturearticles;interviewsalumni,students,orfacultyforarticles;collaboratesoneditorial decisions;andgainsvaluablewritingskillsingenresthatyoumaynotalwaysbeexposedtointraditionalwritingclasses. Credithoursanddutiesarenegotiatedsoastoprovideyouwiththebestpossiblelearningexperience.Dutiescanbeginimmediatelyorinthespring,dependingonyouravailability.Non-

A Message from the dean

ThebignewsattheHonorsCollegeistherenovationofProvincialHouse.Yes,thatisright,wearefinallyembarkingontherenovationofourhome!TheUniversityhasreceivedARPAfundingandabigchunkwillbeusedforthe verymuchneededrenovationofProHo.Thesearematchingfunds,sowearefundraisingforboththematchand additionalfundsasrenovationstendtogrow,andthisisabigbuilding!

TherenovatedProvincialHousewillbethehubofstudentlifeonsouthcampus.Optometrywilljoinusinthe building thereisplentyofroom.AndwiththenewNursingsimulationlabsnextdoorandOakHallandUniversityMeadowsbuzzing,thesouth-sideofUMSLwillbetheplacetobe.Wearereallyexcitedaboutallofthisand havealreadystartedmeetingswiththearchitects.Wewillbeverymuchinvolvedinthedesignoftherenovated ProHo.(Afewofyouhavealreadybeenpartofsomeoftheinitialstakeholdermeetings thankyou!)Youwill hearmuchmoreaboutthisaswemoveforward.

Thereismorebignews.Wehavenewfacultymember.JasonVasser-ElonghasjoinedthefacultyasanAssistant TeachingProfessor.JasonhasaBAinanthropology,anMFA,andiscompletinghisDoctorateineducation,all fromUMSL.HewillteachwritingseminarsandcoursesinAfricanAmericanstudies,aswellasadvisestudents andserveasthefacultymentorfortheSt.LouisScholars.Jasonisalsoaworkingpoetwhohasjusthadhisfirst bookofpoetry, Shrimp, published.YoucanreadsomeofJason’sworkin Sapiens, whereheisthepoet-inresidence.Wearethrilledthathehasjoinedus.

Jasonisnottheonlyonewhohasjoinedus.Wehadanenteringclassof179newHonorsCollegestudents.Not quitethe191thatwasourrecordclass,butclose!Theyaresettledinandworkingthroughtheirfirstsemester CulturalTraditionsandwritingclasses.Theymightalsobetakingaseminaronhowtocommunicateacrossthe politicaldivide,orlearningaboutScheherazadeandthe One Thousand and One Nights withAnn,orforthebrave, workingthroughtheapplicationsofcalculus.Wehave,Ithink,areallyrichselectionofcourses.

Somethingthatwehavebeenfocusedonduringthestartofthesemester,andreallyfromlastsummer,hasbeen theCollege’sfive-yearreview.Wehadthevisitbythereviewcommitteerecentlyandtheyhadanopportunityto meetwithalotofdifferentstakeholders.Thevisitwentverywell,andIreallywanttothankallofthealumniwho participatedinthereview.Beyondthereallywellattendedalumnisession,Iknowalotofyouwereinvolvedin thereviewfromotherrolesthatyouhaveintheUMSLcommunity.Thefinalreviewreportwillbeavailableon ourwebsitesoonandwewillhearbackfromthecommitteeinJanuary.Thankyouallforyourhelphere!

Andlastbutnotleast,markyourcalendars:March4,2023willbeourtwelfthalmost-annualTriviaNight.Thanks againtotheamazingworkbyouralumni,wewereabletobringTriviaNightbacklastyearwithafewmodifications.Thisyearitisfull-speedahead.

IamveryhappytoreportthattheHonorsCollegeremainscentraltoUMSL’sfutureplans.ThetremendousinvestmentinourbuildingissymbolicofthesupportwereceivefromtheUniversity.Thereare excitingchangescomingtohonorsandwewillneedouralumnisupportandparticipation morethanever.Asalwaysthankyouandyouwillbehearingmoresoon.

A student’s journey toward medical school

ByAshleyLakey

MyinterestinmedicinestartedassoonasIcould speak.Mydadworkedinresearchandmymomwasa nurse.Dadtaughtusatastoddlersthatfirewasthe rapidoxidationofhotgasses.Sciencewascentralto almostallofourconversationsasafamilyformywhole life.So,justlikeeveryotherpre-medstudent,Iloved science,thehumanbodyandcaringforpeople.Eight yearsago,mydesiretobecomeaphysicianwas strengthenedandmademuchmorepersonal.Ihadtwo consecutiveconcussionsmyfreshmanyearincollege. Forthenext5yearsIcouldnotwalk,study,drive,or workconsistently.Itwassofrustrating,asadrivenstudentandaplanner,topausemylifeforfiveyears,sitin adarkroomandfeelmybrainspinninginsidemyhead, unabletowalk.Imadenoprogresstowardsschool,or progresstowardsanythingforthatmatter.Iwasmad thatthedoctorsdidnotknowwhattodo.Iwassomad, andatthesametime,soinaweofthebrain.Howdoes itevadetheunderstandingofthesebrilliantpeople whostudieditfortheirentirelives?Itwasasimilar feelingtoseeingavillaininamovie.Thehateforhow disturbingtheircrimesarewaspairedwithwonder andadmirationfortheirshrewdness.Thepastthree yearsIhavebeenabletowork,andIamslowlytaking onmoreclasses.Aftereightyearsandcountingof searchingforanswers,Iwasdeterminedtofindananswermyself.Ihatedmybrainforbeingsodifficult,and Iloveditforbeingsodifficult.Ilovedhowitchallenged everyspecialistandoutwittedallofthem.Duringthis timealso,manypeoplewhoaredeartomehavehad brainsthatdidnotworkintheirfavor.Thisfurther fueledmydeterminationtobecomeaneurologist.

Icarriedthisexperienceandinterestintoshadowing, butIwantedtokeepanopenmind,soIdecidedto shadowdoctorsacrosshospitalsandspecialtiestogeta fullerpictureofmedicine.Oneofmyfirststopswas withOB/GYN.ObstetricsandGynecologywasinspiring. TheOBgetstobringnewhumansintotheworld;thatis amazing.Itwasbeautiful,it is beautiful,tocarefor

womenandtheirreproductivehealth.ButIrealized thatIcouldn’tquitereachthelevelofinterestIhadin otherareas.Thebrain,theheart,thekidneys…?Ifyou don’thavethose,youdie!IknewthatIstillneededto gotootherpartsofthebody,andthebrainstillheldthe greatestleveloffascinationforme.Itisthe21stcenturyandthedoctorsdidnothaveanswersformyneurologicalstruggles.Howcanwebethisfarinmedicine andstillknowsolittleaboutthebrain?Whatevenisit? Itisourcenterofconsciousness(wethink),thereason wefeelpain,theorganthatthebodyprotectsaboveall others.Ithasregionsthathavecertaingeneralized functions.Itisriveting.Anorganthiscomplexisirresistible.Whilemyexplorationofvariousunitsandspecialtiesisn’tcomplete,Iwasfortunateenoughtogain experienceintheareathatfirstfascinatedme.

First,Ishadowedinneurosurgery.IneverthoughtI wouldwanttobeaneurosurgeon.Itsoundedlikeso muchpressure.Neurosurgeonscannotmakeasingle mistake.NeurosurgerywasprobablythemostincrediblethingIhaveeverseen.Onepatienthadsevere swellingfromatrauma.Ifshedidnothavebrainsurgery,herbrainwouldswellsomuchthatitwouldstart tosqueezeoutoftheforamenmagnum,theholeinthe skullwherethespinalcordmeetsthebrain.Themidbrain,whichcontrolsinvoluntaryfunctionssuchas breathing,wouldgetpushedthroughfirst,andshe woulddie.Thesurgeonsremovedthiswoman’sentire foreheadskullbone.Theyputinashunt(adrainfor cerebralspinalfluid)andsewedherskinbackoverher forehead.Ifyoupokedherforehead,youwouldbepokingherbrain!Theystoredtheforeheadboneinthe freezer.Theywouldleaveittherefor6months,and thenreplaceitoncetheswellingsubsided.Bydoingso theywouldsaveherlife.Itwasunreal.

Ialsogotsoseeseveralpediatricneurosurgeries.These werehardertowatch.Itwassobering,tostandthere, holdingayoungboy’shandtocomforthimashefaced

brainsurgerythathadrisksofdeath.Ononehand,we cansavepeoplewithsubdermalhematomas,whichis whathesufferedfrom.Thatisincredible.Ontheother hand,wecannotalwayssaveeveryonewithsubdermal hematomas.Evenlittleboyswhohavejuststartedlivinglife.Itriedtodistracthimastheteamputoxygen overhisface.“Whatdoyouwanttodreamabout?”I askedhim.“Youknowifyoufallasleepthinkingabout something,youcandreamaboutit.”Theboylookedat mewithtearspouringdownhischeeks.Hewasnot abletoentermyfantasyworld;hewassoworried abouthissurgery.Hehadastuffedbunnyunderone armandastuffedbearundertheother.“Tellmeabout youranimals!”Hetoldmealittlebit,andbrieflywas distracted,butthecurtainofhorrorsoonfellbackover hisface,andhecontinuedweeping.Iwantedtocomfort him,butwhatcanIsaythatwillbecomforting?Thankfully,thesurgerywentextremelywell,andtheboywill begreat;Iwassorelievedtohearthat.Whatdisturbed mewasthatthesurgerycouldhavejustaseasilynot wentwell,andthatboy’sfearscouldhavecometrue.I wassooverwhelmedbythatinteraction.Nowwhether ornotneurosurgerywasformewassomethingIquicklyrealizedwasadifferentstoryaltogether.Still,captivatedandfascinatedbythebrain,Idecidedtoshadow thestroketeam.

Thisspecialtyandteamwasmyfavorite.Thephysicianscantellexactlywhereastrokeisinthebrainjust basedonanexternalneurologicalexamination.Then theytakeanMRI,anditperfectlysupportstheirhypothesis.Everystrokecasewasfascinating.Everypatientpresenteddifferently,butthatneverphasedthe neurologists.Thedoctorsweresoskilled,andfigured outwhatwaswrongwiththepatientsofast.However, therewasonestrokecasethatIcannotgetoutofmy mind.

Wehadapatientwitha“functionalstroke.”I’mnotconfidentinmyabilitytoexplainthatwell,butafunctional strokeoccurswhenthepatientpresentswithallthe symptomsofhavingastroke,butthereisnoischemia, aneurism,hematoma,orclotinthebrain.TheirMRI showsabrainthatiscompletelyhealthy.Yetthepatient physicallyexperiencesweaknessononesideofthe body.Thereareseveresymptomswithnoprovableexplanation.Thankfully,largerholistictreatment,particularlytreatmentofthepatient’sotherknownpsychologicalconditions(forinstance,anxietyordepression), improvestheirstrokesymptoms.Itissohardforhu-

mans,especiallyintelligent,drivenones,tobecomfortablewithnotknowingallthereistoknow.Butunfortunately,doctorsmustcopewiththemysteryoffunctionalstrokeandtrustintreatmentsthatwork,evenifwe don’talwayscompletelyunderstandwhy.

AdoctorthatIwasshadowingexplainedtomethat therecanalsobefunctionalblindness.Therewasapatientwhocouldnotseeoutoftheireyes!Well,duh, right?Ofcourseifyou’reblind,youcan’tseefromyour eyes.Theireyescouldseethough!Butsomewhere alongthatpathwaytheirbraindidnotregisteritasvision,resultinginfunctionalblindness.Again,why?Anotherinstanceofusnotknowingthewhybutknowing thattreatingmentalhealthcomorbiditiescanresultina successfulalleviationofsymptoms.Sohowdoesthe braindothattoitself?Absolutelybaffling.Icannotstop thinkingaboutthat.Thereissomuchhumanshaveyet tolearnaboutthebrain.

Myshadowingexperiencehasbeenthrillingsofar.Everyspecialtyinmedicineissoimportant.Weliveinan incredibleera,wheremedicineissospecializedand precise.WhileIlovedeveryspecialtythatIshadowed, thestroketeamwaswhereIcouldseemyselfthemost. Otherorgansareinteresting,butnothingisasincredible,andhasevadedourunderstanding,foraslongas thebrain.IlookforwardtodedicatingmylifetostudyingitandcaringforthosewhostrugglewithitlikePapa withParkinson’s,Grandmawithabraininjury,Mimi withAlzheimer’s,Opawithterminaldementia,andmy momwithadebilitatingconcussion.

Ashley Lakey is a junior biology major, following a premed trajectory, in the Honors College. Her article was edited for length, but to read more, contact Dan Gerth at gerthd@umsl.edu.

Workingatthehospitalasatechwith mymom,anurse. Momwasinacar accidentwhenI wasinhighschool andwasunableto walkforthegreater partofoneyear. Shestillsuffers fromtheeffectsof herconcussion.

Papawasacardiologist.Hewas verydeartome.Hewasbrilliant, and15yearsago,littlebylittle, Parkinson'sslowlytookhisbody andhismind.

FacetimingPapaas hewasinthehospitalhislastfew months.Itwashard tohelpcareforhim livingtenhours away.

ImadefarmthemedcakeballsforPapafor hisbirthday.Hegavemeabighug;youcan seetherigidityinhisbodyfromParkinson’s.

“ThesearepeopleIlove,whohaveallbeenimpactedbyabrainwithreducedfunction.”

CaringforMimi,mychildhoodfriend’s grandmawhohadAlzheimer’s.Eveninher sickness,shewasoneofthemostjoyful womenIhavemet.

MysweetOpawho passedearlierthis year.HislastnightI sleptrightnexttohim andreacheduptohold hishandwhenhe calledout,suffering fromterminaldementia.Mymomstepped intobehisnurse, sincehospicecould notcome,andIgotto helpmymommake himcomfortable.

Keeping Grandma companyduringdinnerat thehospital.

Celebrating Grandma’s84th birthday.

Visiting Grandma during COVID withDad.

Ipainted Grandma’s nailsatthe hospital.

GrandmaPampassedlastyear.Shewasinacaraccidentwhenmydadwasakidandsufferedpermanent braindamage.Thisimpactedalotofthings,butitdidnottouchherjoyorherdrivetoprovideforandlove herfamily.

Study Abroad Returns!

BySophieYereshchenko,MaggieRaymer,andDomiBell

Whetherornotthepandemicisovermightbeamatterofpersonalinterpretation,butglobaltravelhascertainly returned,andHonorsstudentshavetakenadvantageofthefirstsafeopportunitiestostudyabroadinafewyears. AssociateTeachingProfessorChristophSchiessl’ssummertriptoGermany,forexample,returnedthispastsummer.AndnumerousHonorsstudentsspentthefallsemesterabroad.Threestudentsarehappytosharetheirexperiencesthusfarin Provenance.

29 August

ItallbeganwhenIwatchedmylifeshrink.Thecomfort ofmyparents'two storyhometurned intoa10by10meterdormroom.The shower,Icould oncelaydownin, turnedintoashowerinwhichIcouldn’tpeelmyelbows frommysides.The fridgethatdoubled mysizebarelywent uptomyknees now.Mywild-lifefilledbackyardturnedintoabusy streetforjustabouteverytypeoftransportationthat onecouldimagine.ThetruthwasthatIcouldfitmy entirelifeintoa50poundsuitcase,includingmy clothes,twocoats,apillow,bedsheets,twoblankets, andaukulele.Costco-sizedturnedintotravel-sized. Everything.Allofit.Icouldfitmyshampoo,conditioner,lotion,facewash,toothbrush,toothpaste,shaving cream,razor,deodorant,headphones,andChapStickin thecuppedpalmsofmyhands.Andevenallofthose feltlikeunnecessaryluxuries.ButIlikeditthatway. Mylittlehome.Myminiature,sample-sizedlife.Iwas sickofhavingsomanythings.Iwassickofpeoplethat neededsomanythings.Thepeoplestuckrunning milesonthehedonistictreadmill.KeepingUpWithThe Joneses.Now,Iwouldbeignorantnottoacknowledge themereprivilegethatcomeswithmydistastewith comfort.IamawarethatIamluckytoknowahouse withanextraroom.Tohavemorethanonepairof

shoes,tohaveonepairatall.Tohaveseenandeven eatenoutofaNutellajarbiggerthanmyhead.But maybethatiswhatmademegrowsodisconnected withcomfort.Ofcourse,myparentsworkedandwork endlesslyfortheirlivestobethiswayandformylife tobethisway.AndsoitwillneverbesomethingthatI canorwilltakeforgranted.Myparentsworkedforit, butthetruthwasthatIgotitallbymereluck.AndI’m notsurethatthatcouldeversitrightwithme.

30 August

Onmyfirstnight,Idecidedthatitwasonlyrightto startmyFrenchjourneywithafancyFrenchmeal.I walkedtoagiantBrasseriewhichhadbeenrunning since1864.IcameinknowingthatIwouldgetthe “PlatduJour”whichwasarabbitlegservedinwine sauceandaccompaniedbyvegetables.

AsIwaslookingdownatthemenulookingforaglass ofwinethatIcouldafford,themansittingacrossfrom mecameuptome. When I was waiting in line to get through security in Paris, I started chatting with a man, probably in his early 70s, from South Korea. It was a pleasant conversation, but I didn’t think anything of it. Well,itwashim!In Lyon!Andherecognizedme!Wehappenedtobeatthe samerestaurantatthe

Sophie Yereshchenko, International Business major + French minor: Lyon, France

sametimeandseatedrightacrossfromoneanother. Thecityfeltalittlesmaller.

WhenItoldthewaiterthatIwantedthe“PlatduJour,” heexplainedthatitwasonlyofferedforlunch.SoIfranticallypointedtothecheapestentreeandglassofred winethatwereonthemenu.IhadnoideawhatIorderedatthetime,butitendedupbeingavealsausage servedwithmashedpotatoesandalargeamountof sauce.

31 August

ThoughtheFrencharen’tjoyouslysmilingandwelcomingmewithhugs,Imustsaythattheyareverylikeable, contrarytowhatyoumayhaveheard,andextremely fascinating.Theystrutwithconfidenceandwalkswiftly. Theyareneatandwellputtogether.Fashionablefrom theirheelstotheircrowns.Andmostinterestingofall, theyarefullycapableofsmiling!Yes!Itistrue,andstereotypesarewrong.Infact,itturnsoutthatallittakes isa Bonjour Madame togetafriendlysmileoutofa Frenchwaiter.

1 September

Thismorningiscooler thantherestoftheweek, andIsurelywasglad. Now,Idonotwantto complainaboutmyvery minusculeproblems,but thelackofairconditioninginanamphitheatre fullof150youngadults isnotquitewhatIconsidertobeajoyousexperience.ThismorningI wenttoaboulangerie.I orderedacafeandabriocheauxpralines(aLyonnaise pastrycontainingcandiedalmondsandapinksyrup).I hadfinishedeatingbythetimeaFrenchwomaninher late60sapproachedmeandaskedtositwithmeto whichIreplied“BienSur,BienSur”inmyheavyAmericanaccent.

Wespokeforalittlewhile.Itwasdifficulttocommunicate,butIamlearningquicklythattwopeoplecan speaktooneanotherwithoutacommontongue.Itold herthatIwasastudent.Shecalledmebeautiful,orsoI thoughtshedid.ItwasquitefranklypossiblethatIwas

justhearingwhatIwantedtohear!Ihadtoleavethe boulangerietowalktoclass,butIwishwecouldhave chattedforlonger.

2 September

Iwokeupanddecidedtowalktothecenterofthecity. ThedaystartedasallmyotherFrenchdayshave:witha pastryandacoffee.Iordereda Swisspastrywith athinlayerofcustardandchocolate inside.ThenIset outforabasilica whichoverlooked thecity.Iclimbed about25flightsof stairstofinallyreachwhatwasjustabouttheprettiest churchIhadeverseen.Itwasawhitestructurethat welcomedtourists.TherewasalovelyFrenchmanplayingtheaccordionoutside. Afterabout30minutesof beingastonished,Iwentto agardenthatoverlooked Lyon.Itwassohighup thatIcouldseetheAlpsin thevastdistance.Itwasas beautifulasbeautiful couldget.

WhenIcamedownfrom thehillIcouldconsiderto beamountain,Istartedto lookforaplacetoeat lunch.Mostplacesclose around14:00(yes,that’sright,nomore2:00pm!),soit becameincreasinglyapparentthatthiswouldnotbe easy.AsIwaswalkingacrossthebusystreet,Iturnedto someonesaying“Sophie!” ItwasaboyfromGermany calledJuliusthatIhadmet thedaybefore.Bumping intohimmadethecity, again,feelalittlesmaller. Julius,hisfriend,andI foundaplaceforlunch.I triedthefamousSalade Lyonette(saladleaves, chives,onion,apoached

egg,andbacon).Afterlunch,Iwalkedaroundthecity anddidsomeshopping.IstillreliedonGoogleMaps quiteheavilytogetaroundthecity,butIdidn’tpanic whenmyphonebatterydiedabout2milesawayfrom thedorm.Tomypleasantsurprise,Ifoundmyway homewithoutaproblem.

Thatnight,agroupofabout10friendsallmetatawine bar.NellybroughtherLyonnaiseroommate,Camille. Afterabout4glassesofwineandthreecigarettes,Camilleinsisted thatwehadto haveaparty!

Aroundmidnight,Nelly, Camille,andI gotonbicycles andstartedto headtowards theirflatasit startedtorain. Cyclingwhile alittledrunk inabusyforeigncity,accompaniedbymyclosestfriend inthecountry(whomIhadonlyknownforthreedays) andayoungmanwhoseEnglishwasbarelycomprehen-

sible,thefactthatIwaswhereIwashadfinallyhitme.I couldn’thelpbutsmilefromeartoear.Itwasaverybig andAmericansmile.

Atsomepointinthenight,Nellyturnedtomeandsaid “Sophie,youmakemeloveyoualot.”

Theroomgrewsilent. Nellysaid,“Camille…what?!?”

Camillelooksatme,“Iloveatyou,I...I...loveyou.”

ItellCamillethatheisaverynicemanandIwouldlove tobehisfriend,butIdonotlovehim.Weallburstoutin laughteronlytodecipherthathewastryingtocallme funny.Itturnsoutthat“Youmakemelaughalot”can veryeasilybelostintranslation.Itwashysterical.We playedadrinkinggamewithRumandCoke(disgusting) untilabout3:30(themorningtimesarethesameas here!),andthenwefellasleep.NellyandIwokeupat 6:00andheadedtothetrainstationforourfirstday trip....Tobecontinued.

MytimeintheUK,canbedescribedinacoupleof words:fun,unexpected,andlifechanging.

Iamspendingthree monthsinNorwich,UKat theUniversityofEastAnglia.I’llstartoffbysaying thatIthoughtthatIwas readyforthedifferences frommyhouseinSt.Louis tohere.AndinsomewaysI was,andinothersthere wasnowayformetobe ready.

Thefirstwaythatwasdifferentwasthenightlife.Now,I knowImightnotbethemostoutgoingortheperson whogoesouteverynight,butthenumberoftimesthat thepeopleinmybuildingwentoutwassurprisingto me.Beforeschoolstarted,itwasalmosteverynight.

Andonceschoolstarted itwasstill3to4timesa week.Peoplewerealwaysgoingoutto dance,party,andto drink.Ididnotexpect howcasualdrinking washere.Evenmore surprisingwastheculturalacceptanceof smoking–notvaping, butactualcigarette smoking.Anywhereoncampus,besidestheclassrooms anddormrooms!AndbeingfromaplacewhereIwas alwaystoldtoneversmokecigarettes,thiswasapretty bigthingforme.(Don’tworry,thisdidnotleadmeto takeupsmoking!).

ButoneofthebiggestandunexpectedthingsthathappenedtomewasthefactthatInotonlygotinjured

Maggie Raymer, Business Administration major, with Management emphasis + Psychology minor: Norwich, United Kingdom

whileIwashere,butI gotsickacoupleof times.Aboutthree daysbeforeclasses started,Isprainedmy anklereallybadly–to thepointwhereI couldbarelywalk acrossmydormroom. Ittookaweekforme tofeelokaywalkingto thekitchenandlonger towalkanylongdistance.Startingclassesin-personwasano-go,andit tookweeksformetofinalgettogotoclassface-toface.AndthenwhenIfinallygothealedenough,Igot sick!Iwassleepingnon-stopandbarelyeating.But luckily,Iwasabletoget overitprettyquickly. ButthenIgotsick again!Thistimeitwasa bitworse;mythroat wasterribleandithurt totalk.Iwasannoyed andsadbecauseIwas lookingforwardtogo-

ingtoclassinperson.Butbeingsickandneedingthehelp ofotherreallyshowedhow peopleherearesoverykind. Myroommatesandjustthe peopleinmybuildingwhoI havemetwereverywillingto helpme,andtheydid.They wouldgetmefoodanddrinks andwouldcheckuponme whenevertheycould.Theschoolalsosentpeopleto comeinandcheckonmetomakesurethatIwas okay.Thesesimpleactsreallyshowedmehowmuch thepeoplecareaboutothers.Anditreallyshowsme howmuchtheschoolcaresforthepeoplewhoareat theschool.

Sincethen,Iamhavingagreattime.Iamlearning newthingsinmymajor–andaboutmyself.I’mlookingforwardtosharingmoresoon.Butwhilemyfirst weekshavebeenstressful,IhavelearnedthatIcan functionwithoutthehelpofmyparentsandclosest friends.Ialsolearnedaboutwhenandhowtoreach outtopeoplewhenIneedhelp.Iwisheveryonehere didn’tsmoke,butjustthisshorttimeherehasbeen absolutelyamazing.

Domi Bell, Anthropology major + Gender Studies minor + Global Health and Social Medicine minor: South Korea

Assomeonewholovestotravelbutneverreallyhadthe properresourcesortimetodosobefore,Iwouldalwayswatchinaweofpeopleonline,hopingthatone dayitwouldbeme.Particularlywhenitcametosolo travelers.Iwouldsavevideosandmakeplansforthe daywhenI,too,wouldventureoutonmyownandexperienceotherpartsoftheworld.Honestly,Ibelieve thatmyintrovertedpersonalitywasthemainfactorin whysolotravelwassoappealingtome.EventhoughI lovespendingtimewiththepeopleIcareabout,Ican't helpbutfeelthat(inregardstotraveling)beingalone issimplerandlessstressful.So,whenitcametimefor metodecidewhethertostayinSouthKoreathrough theendoftheyearorreturnaftermyfirstsemester there,itseemedlikeabitofano-brainer.Icoulddo thingsatmyownpaceandenjoyeveryexperiencefully.Thus,Imadethedecisiontostay,andit’sprobably thefirstmajordecisionI’veevermadeformyself (besidesgoingtocollege).Throughitall,Ihave learnedalotaboutmyselfandgottoexperiencesome

trulyamazingthings.Sincethismysecondsemester abroad,Ithoughtitwouldbeinterestingtocontrastthe travelsItookwithfriendswiththoseItookalonethis semester.Ihopeyouallenjoyreadingaboutthem!

Seoul, April 1-3, May 4-7

WithSeoulbeingthecapitalofSouthKoreaandits largestcity,it’sonlyright tostartoffhere.Seoulis frequentlythefirstand mostpopulardestination tovisitwhentravelersfirst considercominghere, whichisunderstandable. ThecityisfrequentlycomparedtoNewYork,offersa tonduringthedayanda bustling,energeticnight-

-life.Ifyou'reanythinglikeme,itssizecanfeelalittle intimidating,butthere'salwayssomethingtodo.And withtherightplanning,youcanfindactivitiesthatsuit yourinterests.IfindthatSeoulisaplacebestenjoyed withfriends,otherwiseitcangetabitlonelyfairly quickly.Mostofmyvisitstothecitywerewithfriends, thankfully,andeachtimewegottoexperiencenew things.Eachtime,westayedinHongdae,adistrict knownforpartying,shopping,andbeingaplacewhere youngpeoplehangout.Weallhadsimilarbutdifferent tastes,sowewereabletoexperienceavarietyof thingswhilethere.Forexample,myfriendwhoisreallyintoartwantedtoseetheTimBurtonexhibition (whichwaswaycoolerthanIexpected)andalsovisit anartmuseum.MyotherfriendandIareintoK-pop, andsoonoursecondtriptherewedidatourofanentertainmentbuilding,Hybe,whichishometoartists likeSeventeen,Txt, andBts.It wasreally coolexperienceand definitely something totryat leastonceif you’reinto thosesorts ofthings!CafecultureisalsoahugepartoflifeinSouth Korea,sowevisitedtonsofcatcafesandaesthetically pleasing,interestingonesaswell(notsayingthatcats arenotaestheticallypleasingorinteresting,though!). Also,whereIliveinGwangju,it’sabithardtofindvegetarianfoodplaces,soitsalwaysnicetobeabletotry outvegetarianrestaurantswhileinSeoul.

Seoul, November 14-15

MymostrecenttriptoSeoulwasthefirsttimeIhad beentheresincereturningforthesecondsemester. PartofthereasonisbecauseI’dgonetherelastsemesterandfeltasthoughIhadalreadyseenalotofthe thingsIhadsetouttodobefore.However,truthfully,a biggerreasonisbecausegoingbackaloneafterhaving somanynicememorieswithfriendswasabitofa bummer.Eventhoughmystaywasshorterthannormal,itwasstillarathermemorableone.Readers,if youeverhavethechancetovisitSouthKorea,youabsolutelymusteatramenorsomeothertypeofmeal

neartheHanRiver.Ithassuchawonderfulatmosphereandisverywarmandwelcoming.Itwassomewhatlikeahomeawayfromhomeforme alsooneofthoseexperienceswhenyourememberthat you'reinanothercountry doingthings younormally wouldn'tdo, anditmakes yousavorthe moodeven more.Having visitedthe HanRiverin boththespringandthefall,Icansaythatit whiletogoevenincoldweatherandenjoytimewith yourselforfriends.

Busan, April 16 17

AnotherplaceIhighlyrecommendvisitingisBusan. It’sthesecondlargestcityandacoastalcitylocatedin theeast.Inadditiontothemanybeaches,it’salsosurroundedbymountains.Intermsofscenicviewsthere’s tonstosee,andyou’rereallygettingthebestofboth worldswithbeachesandmountains!ThefirsttimeI camewaslastAprilwithmyroommateandIlovedit somuch.WevisitedHaeundaeBeach(whichatthe timewasinthemidstofcreatingcoolsandcastlesfora festival),YonggungsaTemple,BusanTower,Gukje Market(areallynicestreetwhereyoucantrylotsof localstreetfoods),andofcourse,wewenttoacatcafe! Wepackedso muchintosuch alittleweekend thatitwasa littlehectic,but IlovedBusan somuchthatI madeapromisetocome backagainbeforeIleftfor good.Thiscity'senergyistotallydistinctfromanyotherplaceI'veeverbeento,andnothinghasbeenableto makemefeelthewayIdowheneverIvisitthere. There’sjustsomethingaboutthearchitecture,nature, andpeoplethattrulymakesitfeellikeahomeaway fromhome.Idon’treallyhaveanyplansforstayingin

SouthKorealongterm,butifIeverdid,Busanwould definitelybetheplace.

Busan, Sep 22-24

BusanactuallyendedupbeingthefirsttripItookafter returningtoSouthKorea.AnditwasthefirsttimeIrealizedIwasentirelyaloneinacountryontheotherside oftheworld!Myfeelingstowardthecitydidn'tchange; infact,Igrewevenmoreinlovewithit.IhadtheopportunitytoexperienceitentirelydifferentlythanIdidthe semesterbeforeandformanentirelyfreshperspective onbothmyselfandtheenvironment.Ialsogottosee newthingsthatIhadbeenhopingtovisitandexplore manyoftheareaswehadn'tgottenaroundtopreviously.Ivisitedtwootherwell-knownbeaches Gwangali andSongdo aswellascafehopping,sunsetgazingon thebeach,andtrainriding.

Thisvisitwas moremeaningfuland fulfillingfor meinmany waysthan theprevious semester.I experiencedactualsolitudeforthefirsttimethattrip. Tobecompletelyhonest,itwaslonelierthanIthought it’dbe.IrememberatonepointI’dbeenonthebeach, journaling,andwrotealotaboutmyfears,doubts,and hopes:“IthinkIamlearningalotaboutmyselfthemore Idothingsonmyown.Truthfully,Iwasreallyscared andnervoustodothisanddidn’tthinkthatIcould.I wasworriedaboutmysafety,whetherornotI’dhave fun,andmostofallIwasworriedabouthowlonelyI’d get.Youknow,mywholelifeI’vealwaystakenpridein thefactthatIamself-sufficientandcanstandtodo thingsonmyown.But,themoreIthinkaboutitIwas nevertrulyalone,Ithink.NotlikeIamnow.”

LaterIwrote,“DespitethelonelinessIcantrulysayI’m havingfun.Ilovetravelingwithfriendsandbeingable tosharesuchamazingexperienceswiththem but whenyoutravelwithothersyouhavetobeconsiderate oftheirtimeandenergyaswell.Whenyou’realoneyou cangoslow,andthat’ssomethingI’vebeentryingto implementintomylifelately.Iamlearningthatit’s okaytotakeiteasysometimesandlivelifeslowly.Experiencethingsfullyandreallysoakitin.Itisokayfor metobefullypresentandenjoyeachmomentasit

comes.”ThesearejustsomeofthethingsIhadwritten inmyprivatejournalatthetime.Althoughit'sabitmelancholictolookbackonthem,Ithinktheydowellin capturingmyoverallfeelings.

Gwangju, Spring and Fall

EventhoughI'vewrittenalotsofar,Ithinkit'dbenice togivealittleinsightasto howmylifeinGwangju, whereIliveandstudy,has changed.LastsemesterIwas luckyinthattherewere threeothergirlsfromUMSL whostudiedhereatmyuniversity.Weallbecamegood friendsandstilltalktothis day.ItwasnicetohavepeoplethatIcouldrelateto,lean on,andfindcomfortinwheneverImissedhome.Wealso hadalittleextendedgroupofotherinternational friendsthatwehadmetthatImissdearly.Wewentona lotoftripstogetherandhungoutsomuchthatIhaveso manyhappymemorieswiththemthatIstillcarrywith metoday.

Iwastheonlyonetoextendmystayhereforanother semester.PerhapsthebiggestchangeI’vehadtopushis adjustingtolifeherewithoutthem.Before,weexplored thecitytogetherandwereabletomakelittlememories inseeminglyeverycornerofthetown.Now,Idothese thingsaloneandoccasionallygetabitofasomberfeelingwheneverIvisitaplaceorseesomethingthatremindsmeofmyfriendswhoarenolongerhere.That’s oneofthetoughestthingsabout studyingabroad, bytheway:wonderfulmemories andexperiences, butthepeople you’rewithwon’t bewithyouforever,nomatterhow closeyoubecome.Butindependenceandsolitudeare importanttoo!AndI’msogratefulforeverythingthat I’vebeenabletoaccomplishsofarandthepeopleI’ve beenabletomeetalongtheway.Happyforwhathas happenedandexcitedforwhatisyettocome!

Pets of the year!

Eachweek,theCollege’snewsletteremailincludesa pictureofapet(orpets)submittedbyanHonorsstudent,faculty,orstaffmember.Somepicturesinclude fosterpetswhoarelookingforagoodhome,whileothersincludetheyearlyMarchpicturecelebratingBobthe cat’sbirthday(thisisDanGerth’scat,whoturns16this Marchandisexcitedtofinallygethisdriver’slicense). Mostly,though,thisisjustafunwayformembersofthe Honorsfamilytosharepicturesofthefurry(orfeathered)membersoftheirotherfamily.Sorryreptilefans; Dan’ssnakephobiahasresultedinveryfewscalypets evermakingitintotheweeklyemail.

Thisyearwedecidedtoaddanadditionalelementand openupvotingforthePetoftheYear,witheverysingle PetoftheWeekeligible.Afterthevoteswerecounted–andcourtcasessettled–theresultsarenowhere!We

1st Place

areproudtointroduceourPetsoftheYear…

1st Place – Toby, Abby Miller’s doggy Runner up – Cora, Jamison Straulin’s doggy

Runner up – Scout, the mouse that Audri Adams (academic advisor and success coach) and Kate Votaw (associate teaching professor) caught in Provincial House

Wehopeyouenjoythepictures,aswellasbriefinterviewsconductedwithAbby,Jamison,andAudri.Allpets wonbasketsoftreatsandtoys,exceptScout,whoislivingindependentlyawayfromProvincialHousenow–andnevertakestimetowriteorcallhishumanmothers,unfortunately!

2nd Place

3rd Place

When/where/how did you come to be a companion human to your winning pet?

Abby:Tobyisaninheritedpet.Wecameintopossessionofhimwhenmygreatgrandmotherpassedawayin 2020.Mysisterwasoverthemoonandhasalwaysbeen hisprimaryhuman.

Jamison:Corawasadoptedbymygirlfriendwhenshe wasincollege,sotheycameasapackagedeal.

Audri: WemetonFebruary23,2022,outsideofthe

meacall.

How old is your pet? And do you celebrate their birthday?

Abby:Tobyhasmadeittotherespectableageof13and seemstointendtostickaroundalotlonger.HisbirthdayisJanuary4th,buthepreferstospenditjusthowhe spendstherestofhisdays:beingorneryandsittingon

Toby, Abby Miller’s doggy Cora, Jamison Straulin’s doggy Scout, Audri Adams ‘ mouse

HonorsCollegekitcheninProvincialHouse.KateVotaw originallyfoundhimhangingoutoutsideofheroffice andgave

peopleforwarmth.

Jamison:Corais7yearsold,thoughshehastheenergy ofapuppy.WecelebrateherbirthdayeveryyearonAugust8thwithsomecookiesanddoggieicecream.

Audri:Scoutwasjustababymousewhenwemet;he wasatmostacoupleweeksold.

What kinds of games do you play with your pet?

Abby:Tobyisnotthebrightestbulbinthebox,andthere aren'tmanygamesthatengagehim(asanolderman,he wouldratherbenapping),but wehavefoundthatifyouclap reallyloudlyandsay,"Good job,Toby!"reallyexcitedly, overandover,hegetsvery excitedandrunsaroundin circles.Healsoseemstofinda lotoffulfilmentinrollingin anyandallfeceshecomesacrossoutside,whichisgreat forhimandanexerciseinpatienceforus.

Jamison: Shelovestoplayfetch.Shewouldplayfetch forhoursifsomeonewouldthrowtheballforherthat long.

Audri:Hideandseek!Scoutisreallygoodatnotbeing found…

Any stories you’d like to share?

Abby:Acoupleofyearsago, myfamilywentoutoftownfor theweekendwhileIwasfinishingfinals(theycameback topickmeupwhenIwas done),andIwasdoingokayin thehousealone,butmyanxietywasclimbingabit.Iwas sittingonthecouchworking onafinalpaper,andIwas feelingalittleyucky,untilTobyhoppedontothecouchand floppeddownnexttome.Ifirmlybelievethatheonly didthatbecauseIwasasourceofheatandpossiblybecauseheknewIwasgoingtofeedhimatsomepoint, butIstillappreciatedhispresence.

Jamison:WebroughtCora onafloattripoverthesummer;shelovestoswim!Near theendofit,Corawasnappingonthesideoftheraft sinceshehadspentthelast5 hoursswimming.Suddenly, ourrafthitarockandCora gotcatapultedintotheriver (shehadonalifejacket)!To getabettervisual,justpicturethescenefrom Anchorman wheretheRonBurgundy’ intoariver.Anddon’tworry,asCorawasokayandis doinggreat!

Audri:WhileScoutandIwereonlyineachother’slives foranhour,hisloveforProvincialHousewasclear.He enjoyshisnewhomeoutsidethebuilding,butitdefinitelytooksomeconvincingtorelocatehim.Heloves theHonorsCollegeabittoomuch.

What does being a human companion to a pet mean to you?

Abby: Tome,beingapet companionishavingafurry paltosharequietmoments with.

Jamison:ItmeansthatIalwayshavemylittlefriend. WhenI'msad,wecancuddle onthecouch.WhenI'mhappy,wecanrunaroundand jumparound.Sheisoneofmybestfriendsandweare alwayshappytoseeoneanother.

Audri:Beingapetcompanionandanadvocatefor ScoutandhismousebuddiesisaroleItakeveryseriously.Scoutnowhasanewlifeandsecondchancein thefieldsbehindProvincialHouse.

Want your pet to make it into the weekly College email? Just send a picture to Dan Gerth (gerthd@umsl.edu). No snakes, please. Also, be sure to ask Audri, instructor for Honors 2010: Introduction to Animal Studies in summer 2022, how to define “pet” and if Scout actually counts (hint: he does not. But that’s okay. All animals with a place in our hearts were welcome in the contest).

Honors and Athletics: lessons from the field, the classroom, and beyond

ByMimiBradleyandMckenzieLamos

DoyouknowwhichstudentcohortatUMSLhasthe highestGPA?IfyouansweredHonorsCollegestudents, you’dbepartiallycorrect.UMSL’sstudentathletes,contrarytostereotypesfrompopularculture,oftenjockey (nopunintended,asUMSLdoesnothavehorseracing asasport!)fortopspotwiththePLHCstudents.Once youknowthat,itcomesasnosurprisethatthere’susuallytremendousoverlapbetweenthetwopopulations. Thisfall,forexample,thewomen’ssoccerteamhadsevenHonorsCollegestudentsontheteam.Andwhileno othersporthadquitethatmany,yearafteryear,UMSL’s amazingathletescontinuetobeamazingstudents,very frequentlyintheHonorsCollege.MimiBradleyand MckenzieLamos,bothmembersofthesoftballteamand biologymajorsfollowingpre-healthtrajectories,took thetimetosharetheirexperiencesandtogather thoughtsfromsomeoftheirfellowHonorsCollegeathletesabouttheirtimeonthefield,intheclassroom,and howexperiencesinthoselocationsreciprocateandenrichtheirlives–aswellasUMSL.

Mimi Bradley

Enteringmyfreshmanseason ofcollegesoftball,beingassuredbymycoachesthatI wouldbeoneoftheteam’s startingpitchersalongside ourseniorAll-American,Ifelt likemychildhooddreams werecomingtrue.Tellingme

Iwasoneofthegreatest competitorsandhardest workerstheyhaveseen,my coachesmadeitclearwhat potentialtheysawinmeasaleaderandathleteandthe expectationsthatfollowed.Envisioninghowincredible itwouldfeeltobeafreshmanshoulderingaheavyload ofinningsonanationallyrankedteammadewhathappenedthatseasonatoughrealitytoswallow.Havinga poorperformanceinourfirstpreseasongame,mycon-

fidencewavered.Afterbeinggivenseveralopportunitiesandcontinuing tohavepoorperformances,itbecamecleartoour fans,theteam,my coaches,myfamily, andmyselfthatI wasnotlivingupto theexpectations thatweresetfor me.WhileIdidnotliveuptothephysicalexpectations,I madeaconsciousefforttooptimizemyroleasanonstarter.Itwasdifficultto“fail”inregardstoreaching theexpectationssetforme,butIswitchedmymindset toapproacheachdaywiththegoalofbenefittingthe teambybringingarelentlesspositiveenergy,beingmy teammate’sbiggestsupporter,andcommunicatingwith mycoachesaboutwhatIcoulddotohelptheteamimprove.Despiteacceptingthisnewrole,IwasnotsatisfiedandIremainedcommittedtoworkingtowards earningastartingpositionandstrivingtoreachmypotential.

Muchofmylifehasbeenspentbeinginvolvedwithathleticteamsandassociated events.LearningtodiscoverwhoIambeyondthe sportofsoftballorjustathleticsingeneral,andunderstandingthatIamnot definedbymysuccesses andfailuresonthesoftball fieldhasbeenoneofthe biggesttakeawaysIhave hadthroughoutmyfour yearsatUMSL.Duringmy firstyear,Iallowedmy moodanddemeanortofluctuatefromweektoweek, basedonmymostrecentperformanceingamesor scrimmages.WhenIdidwellonthefield,Ifeltas

thoughIbelongedontheteam,wasworthyoffeeling happy,andwasabletowalkwithconfidence.WhenI hadapoorperformance,however,IfeltasthoughIdid notbelong,didnotbringanyvaluetotheteam,andI ultimatelydreadedattendingpractice.Fortunately,followingtheguidanceandmentorshipofleadersinmy life,Ihavelearnedtounderstandthatcarryingmyself withstrongintegrityandcharacter,andstickingtomy valuesbybeingadependable,compassionate,anddisciplinedleaderisfarmoreimportantthanmystatsonthe softballfield.Discoveringmypassionsoutsideofathletics,andthestrengthsandqualitiesIpossess,hasallowedmetotrulyuncovermyidentitybeyondsoftball.

Duringmyjunioryear,Iwashonoredtobeselectedby mycollegecoachestorepresentandleadourteamas theStudentAthleteCharacterAmbassador.Beingselectedforthisrolebecauseofmycharacterandtheway Ileadbyexample,helpedmebetteracceptandunderstandmyvalueandpurposebeyondjustthephysical componentofthesport,whichIreliedonsoheavily throughoutmyfreshmanyear.Fromthisopportunity,I waschallengedtoimprovecomponentsofautonomy, belongingandcompetencewithintheteamandtopersonallydevelopstrongervocal-leadershipskills.From thisopportunity,Ialso gaineda greaterappreciation fordiversity withina team.Collaboration withindividualswith differentstrengthsandpersonalities,suchasthosewho arenaturalleaders,detailedplanners,goal-setters,forwardthinkers,andrelationshipbuildersiscrucialfor establishingasuccessfulteam.Iwasabletoimplement theseconceptsinmyeducationduringacommunity enrichmentcoursethatItookintheHonorsCollege, whereaclassmateandIworkedwithleadersandresidentsintheCityofBel-Nortocreateaphotobookrepresentingthecity’scharacterandbeauty.Aswecreated thisproject,itwasimportantthatmypartnerandIrecognizedandacceptedourindividualweaknesseswhile combiningandutilizingouruniquestrengths.Takeawaysincludingrecognizingmyvalueandpurposebeyondthephysicalaspectofsoftball,experiencingthe

challengeofpushingmyselfoutsidemycomfortzoneto growintoamorewell-roundedleader,andlearningto appreciateandembracediversity,certainlyhelpedme matureasnotonlyanathletebutasahuman.

AsIreflectbackonthishumblingexperience,IunderstandtherearemanylessonsIhavelearnedfromathleticsthatIcanapplybeyondthegameofsoftball,tomy life,andfuturecareer.Maturingthroughcollege,I recognizethatmyphysical abilitiesasapitcherhave changedverylittlesince myfirstyear,butworking toimprovemydailymindsethasallowedmeto flourishonandoffthe fieldinwaysIcouldnot haveimaginedfouryears ago.Myconfidenceisa resultofhowIlivelife, refusingtotakeshortcuts andknowingIhavedone everythinginmycontroltobethebestversionofmyself.Asastudent,Iapplythislessontomyeducation, enteringsituationssuchasbigexamsorpresentations withconfidenceinthelevelofcommitmentIhaveinvestedtoprepareforthesetasks.Asanaspiringphysician,IrecognizethatthetimeandenergyIdedicatetowardsmyeducationandpersonalcharacterdevelopmentwillimpactnotonlymeandthephysicianIhope tobecome,butthemedicalteamandpatientsImayone daycollaboratewith.

Learningtocarrymyselfwithconfidence,trustinginmy workandpreparation,findingmyworthoutsideofmy successesandfailuresonthesoftballfield,andlearning tofindcomfortinbeinguncomfortable,haveultimately allowedmetogrowfromthisexperienceandhave helpedmedevelopintoabetterversionofmyself.Irealizethatnothingiseverguaranteed.Therewillbe timesagaininthefuturewhenIfallshortofgoalsor expectations,butIwilllearnfromtheseshortcomings andcontinuetobuildastrongercharacterasIwork towardsmypotential.Understandinghowitfeelstonot liveuptoexpectationssetformewillallowmetobetterempathizewithandguidepatientsthroughchallengingmomentsintheirlives.Truepassioncannotbe taught.

Throughpersonalhealthexperiencesandmyinvolvementinathletics,Ihavedevelopedanenergy,excitement,curiosity,anddrivetoutilizemypassionsforfitnessandnutritiontopursueacareerasanosteopathic physician.Beingdiagnosedwithmoderatetosevere scoliosisinmiddleschool,Isawhowstrengthexercises andactiveinvolvementinathleticshelpedmetoavoida spinalfusionsurgery.Ihavealsoexperiencedhoweducatingmyselfonnutritionwhilealsoseekingguidance fromosteopathicphysiciansabouthowtoproperlyadjustmydiet,hashelpedmetoalleviategastricstruggles thatIhaddealtwithforyears.Seeingtheimpactsthat fitnessandnutritionhavehadonmyhealth,Iamdriven tohelppatientsmakeadjustmentstotheirownlifestylestoimprovetheirhealthandreachtheirhealth goals.Beingabletoonedayleadpatientsthroughsome oftheirmostvulnerable,life-changingmomentsinspiresmetocontinuetolearnfrompersonalchallenges andfailures.Applyingthemanylessonsthatathletics havetaughtmetomyfuturejourneythroughmedical schoolandhopefullyasaphysicianoneday,willallow metoservethepatientsIonedaycollaboratewith,asa compassionate,dependable,empatheticandprofessionalosteopathicphysician.

Mckenzie Lamos

Softballwasthefirstthing thatIwaseverpassionate about.Ihavebeenplaying softballeversinceIwaseight yearsoldandplayedteeball evenbeforethat.Asalittle girlwatchingthecollege worldseries,IknewIwanted toplaysoftballandcompete atthehighestlevel.Iamso thankfulforgettingtotravel aroundthecountrytoplay thegameIlovewithsomeofthebestteammatesand people.Ihavealwayslovedlearningcopiousamountsof newinformationaboutthegamefrommycoaches,who havealsotaughtmetoworkhardandbelieveinmyself, whetheritisonoroffthesoftballfield.Softballisa gameoffailure.Ifyousucceedinthreeoutoftenatbats, you’reconsideredareallygoodplayer;however,going threefortenatthefreethrowlineorgettinga30%on anexamisnotaqualityperformance.Playingsoftball, especiallyincollegewherethecompetitionissomuch higher,hastaughtmehowtolearnfromthesefailures

andstrivetobebettereachday.NotonlyhaveIbecome amuchbettersoftballplayerwhileplayinghereat UMSL,butIhavealsogrownintowhoIamasaperson.I havesuchacompetitivedrivewithinme,notonlytobe thebestpossibleplayerandbestversionofmyself,but alsotodo anythingto winformy team.The competitive naturethat Ihaveacquired whilecompetingon thefield,alongwiththeteamworkskillsIobtain,has allowedmetoflourishathleticallyandacademicallyat UMSL.Playingsoftballatthecollegiatelevelhasallowed metoexpressmypassionalongwithmeetingother girlsthatfeelthesamewayaboutthegame.

Throughouthighschool,Istartedtogothroughtherecruitingprocessandtalkingtocollegecoachesabout whatlifewouldbelikeasastudent-athleteattheir school.Mycoachnow,AmandaScott,sawmeplayinthe summerandinvitedmeonacampusvisit.Duringmy visithere,IlearnedabouttheHonorsCollegeandthe differentclassestheyoffer.ThiswasdefinitelysomethingthatstoodouttomeaboutUMSLandisoneofthe reasonsIdecidedtocommithere.Thesmall,close-knit communityinsidesuchalargepublicuniversityiswhat setstheHonorscollegeapartfromtherestofcampus.It allowsstudentstoengageandinteractinawayunlike therestof lecturebasedclasses.Similar toathletics,people fromvariousareas, backgrounds, andopinionscancometogetherforarelatedgoal.Insoftball, thisisworkingwithteammatestowinthegameand accomplishgoalstogether.Academically,thisisdemonstratedbylearningfromoneanother’sperspectivesand discussingtopicsinwaysthatmaynothavebeenconsideredbefore.

Beingastudent-athleteissomethingthatIwillcherish foreverbecauseofthememoriesandrelationshipsthat Ihaveformedwithnotonlymyteammates,butwiththe otherathletesatUMSLaswell.Oneofmyfavoritememoriesfromplayingsoftballincollegeoccurredwhenwe playedourfirstconferenceseriesatLewislastyear.The secondgamewentintoextrainningsandwasavery intensegamethroughall11innings.Ihittwotriples thisgametohelpuswin,whichnotonlyboostedmy confidenceimmensely,butalsotheteam’s.Thiswas suchagoodstarttoourconferenceplayandledustoa solidstartwithsixwins.Athleticsiscomparabletoits owncommunitythatsupportseachother;alloftheathletesgotodifferentgamesandeventsacrosscampusto encourageandcheerforouruniversity.

Inadditiontotheathleticcommunity,theHonorsCollegeprovidesanexcellentcommunityandoutletforme aswell.Iamabletobuildbetterrelationshipswithmy professorsbecauseofthesmallerclasssizesanddiscussion-based classroom setting.I thinkbeing abletohear everyone ’ s opinionisso valuableand leadstoour classhaving greatdiscussionswithsomuchcriticalthoughtbehind them.Theseclassesarealsomorefocusedonaliberal artstypeofeducation,withclassesrangingfromFearof DiseasetoWritingtheCity.Notonlyaretheseclasses veryinterestingtolearnabout,buttheyprovideacreativeoutletfromalloftheSTEMclassesthatIamtaking asabiologymajor.IlovebeingpartoftheHonorsCollegeandamsothankfulthatsoftballhasbroughtmeto UMSLtoexperienceit.

Playingsoftballincollegehastaughtmesomanyimportantlifelessonsthatgobeyondjustthegame.Idefinitelyhavebecomebetteratmanagingmytimeand learningtoprioritizewhatistrulyimportant.Notonly hasthishelpedmeinmycollegeyears,butitwillcontinuetobeutilizedinmyfutureasaphysician.Additionally,Ihavegainedsomanyleadershipskills,especiallyduringmyjuniorandsenioryearhere.Leadership skillssuchasdecisiveness,criticalthinking,motivation, integrity,andteambuildingwillbevitalgoingforward

inmyfutureandarealreadybeingtakenadvantageof presently.Onthesurface,softballmayillustratemerely asportor something todoforenjoyment,but itgoesso muchdeeperthanthat. Notjustfor mepersonally,butfor everyonethathasbeenimpactedbyit:coaches,players, andstaffalike.Beingacollegeathletehasbeenthebest possiblewayformetolearnthesevaluablerealworld skillswhilepartakinginsomethingIamverypassionate about.

AlloftheskillsIhavelearnedwhileplayingcollegiate softballwillhelpmeinmyfuturecareer.Beingoneof theleadersonmyteamwillhelpmebeanexcellent leaderasaphysicianforthemedicalteamthatIwillbe workingwithconstantly.Onmyteam,Imaynotalways agreewithateammate,butIhavetohumblemyown intentionsandalwaysdowhatisbestfortheteamoverall.Similarly,inmyfutureinhealthcare,therearetimes whereIneedtolistentomyteam’sperspectivesand alwaysdo whatisbest forthepatientand placetheir wantsover myown.I lookforward toapplying allthatI’ve learnedinsoftballandHonorstomyfuturecareerand tocareforthosearoundmethebestIcan.

Mimi and Mckenzie reached out to all of the Honors College’s student athletes and collected responses to a variety of questions about athletics, Honors, UMSL, and more. Space requirements prevent us from printing all responses, but if you’d like to read more, contact Dan Gerth at gerthd@umsl.edu.

Sport: Swimming,Fly/Free

Major: Finance

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from athletics or from being a student-athlete? Athleticshashelpedmyorganizationalandtimemanagementskillsgreatly.Iamverygratefulforathleticsbecauseithelpsmestayontopofmyassignments,and helpsmeexcelinclassaswell.IwouldnotbeasdisciplinedasIamnowwithoutswimmingthroughouthigh schoolandnowcollege.

Sport: CrossCountryandTrack,Distance

Major:InternationalBusiness&SupplyChain Management

How do you feel being an athlete has impacted you experience at UMSL? Beinganathletehasgivenmea teamthatIamabletobondandmakelifelongfriendshipswith.BeinganathletehasalsogivenmeincrediblecoachesandmentorsthatIcanlookuptoandseek outforguidanceinallareasofmylife.Iamalsothankfulfortheleadershipdevelopmentandpositionsthat beinganathletehasgiftedme.

Sport: Women’sSoccer,Forward

Major: PsychologywithacertificateinNeuroscience.

How do you feel being an athlete has impacted your experience at UMSL? Beinganathletechangesyour experienceineveryway!It'sadifferentwayoflife:you gotoschool,yougotowork,yougototheliftandthen yougotopracticeforhoursandtravelontheweekend. Takeyourhomeworkontheroadandspendnightsin thehotelonyourlaptopsoyoudon'tmissworkwhile youaregone.Butweareallinthesameboatandyou bondwithpeoplefacingallofthesamethingsyouare!

Sport: Women'sSoccer,Midfield

Major:MechanicalEngineering

How do you feel being an athlete has impacted your experience at UMSL? Beinganathletehasdefinitely givenmeafullworkload,butit'salsorewardedme withagroupofdedicated,hardworking,caring,supportive,wise,loving,goofy,smart,creative,talented, andoverallamazingpeoplethathavemademyexperiencehereextremelyenjoyablejustwithinthefirst month.Ilovedcomingintocollegewiththeassurance thatIwouldhaveatleastsomefriends.Itreallytook thesocialpressureoffmyback.

Callie Clinton

Candice Parziani

Jacob Warner

Julie Steiger

Rebecca "Boo" Littrel

Sport: Softball,Outfield

Major:Physicaleducation

How do you feel being a student-athlete in the Honors College has benefitted you or impacted your experience at UMSL? IgottopresentattheUndergraduateResearchSymposiumandIlovedhavingthatopportunitytoshowwhatIhadlearnedinmyresearch!

Ashley Borowitz

Sport:Softball,Pitcher

Major:Nursing

What is your favorite part about being in the Honors college? Ireallylikethediscussion-basedclasssetup.Itreallyallowsmetounderstandthetextsbetter andgiveseveryoneachancetoshare interpretations thatIwouldneverhavethoughtof.

Sport:Women'sSwimming,Backstroke/IM

Major:PsychologyBS

How do you feel being an athlete has impacted your experience at UMSL? BeinganathleteatUMSLgives mesomuchpride.Wehaveareallyrespectedathletics programwithintheGLVCandeveryteamhasonlybeen growingandimprovingsinceI'vebeenhere.IlovebeingabletobragabouthowmuchIloveUMSLandhow muchIlovemyteam.Itmakesmeempoweredtowant todomore.IwanttoshowmyclassmatesandteammatesaswellasotherathleteswhyIammeanttobe here.Itforcesyoutohavealotofmotivationnotonlyin thepoolbutintheclassroomaswell.Weareheldto higherstandardsthatwemustmeetinordertocompete,andIthinkthatisahugedrivingfactorinmypersonalsuccess.

Sport: Men’sSwimming,SprintButterfly/Freestyle

Major: Pre-PhysicalTherapy(LiberalStudieswithemphasisinExerciseScienceandBiology)

What has been your most memorable sports experience at UMSL? Mymostmemorablesportsexperience atUMSLsofarhasbeencompetingatourmid-season meetinthe200butterfly.Intherace,Icamebackfrom behindtowinandhavingmyteamcheerformehow theydidwasafantasticexperience.

Lily Franzen

Ethan Boehle

Fred Flashback:

on Pierre Laclede and the Founding of

Reflections

the

Honors College with the First Dean

By Dr. J. Frederick Fausz

AsthebusinessmanwhofoundedSt.Louis,Pierre Lacledewasanidealchoicefornamingthenew HonorsCollegeatUMSL.Inthe18thcentury,the cityenhancedexpansiveinternationalcommerce betweentalentedIndianhuntersandEuropean merchants,withoutmilitaryaggressionormissionarymotives,anditprosperedfromeconomicties tobothMontrealandNewOrleans.

A1779censusofthepolyglotpopulationofSt.Louisrevealedthat63%ofadultmaleshadbeenborn inCanada,21%camefromIllinois,and13%were immigrantsfromFranceitself!Recruitingaffluent andculturedFrenchmento“Laclede’stown”made thesmallcityalongtheMississippian“emporium” ofcontinentalcommerceanda“centerofurbanity, manners,andelegance.”Inthe14yearsthatLacledelivedhere,hereflectedhisrefined,intellectual,andaffluentupbringingbyamassingasuperb libraryof215booksinFrench,Spanish,andEnglish,coveringmanysubjects,includingBenFranklin’streatiseonelectricity!

AsahistorianofcolonialAmerica,Iwasprivileged toexpanduponLaclede’s18thcenturyEnlightenmentasthefirstdeanofUMSL’sfirsthonorscollege.The1996 Money Guide to Your Best College Buys notedthatstudentsconsider“atrulyterrific college[asonewith]asmall-communityatmosphere,aswellasprofessorscommittedbothto teaching...andtogivingstudentslotsofindividualattention.” The Chronicle of Higher Education on 10March1993observedthatstudents“cometo collegelookingforinterestingandinspiringadults whowillhelpthemmakeaspiritedtransitionto adulthood.”Emphasizingtheliberalarts“enflamea person’sindividualityanddesireswithin...some purposivecommunityoflearning” especiallyina small-scalesettingwherepeopleare“abletotalk

tooneanotherregularlyandintimately.”

ThePierreLacledeexperimentwasbasedonmy convictionthat:anaffordablepublic,metropolitan commuteruniversitycouldprovideaqualityeducationtodeserving,evendestitute,students;academicexcellencecouldbeseparatedfromtheaffluentelitismofdistinguished,expensivecolleges; andhighscholasticmeritcouldoccurwithoutpretentiousness.Talentedundergraduatesneeded more,notless,mentoring,andstudentcamaraderieattheHonorsCollegecontributesasmuchto collegiatesuccessaschallengingcourseworkand caringprofessors.Otheracademicsobservedthe successatPLHCwith“marvelandenvy,”whenwe wereshow-casedatScotland’sSt.AndrewsUniversity,andIaddressedsome4,000PhiThetaKappa staffandstudentsinaWashington,D.C.convention.

FredFauszwasthefirstdeanofthePierreLaclede HonorsCollege,servingfrom1991-97beforereturningtoafacultycareer.Hecontinuedtoteachin UMSL’sHistorydepartmentuntilretiringin2017. ToreadaboutmoreaboutFred’scareervisit UMSL Daily here.

Dr. J. Frederick Fausz

Historian of 17th century Chesapeake and 18th century St. Louis and collector of rare artifacts

Education and Professional Positions

1970 A.B. Magna cum Laude,EuropeanHistory,ThomasMoreCollege(KY) 1971 M.A.EarlyAmericanHistory,TheCollegeofWilliamandMary 1974-6 AssistantEditor, Complete Works of Captain John Smith,ed.Barbour,3vols.

1976-7 NEHPre-doctoralFellow,McNickleCenterforHistoryoftheAmericanIndian 1977 PhD.EarlyAmericanHistory,TheCollegeofWilliamandMary

1977-8 NationalPublications&RecordsCommissionEditorialFellow, Latrobe Papers

1978-91 HistoryFaculty,St.Mary’sCollegeofMaryland,St.Mary'sCity

1991-96 DeanofThePierreLacledeHonorsCollege,UniversityofMissouri-St.Louis 1991-2017TenuredHistoryProfessor,nowEmeritus,UniversityofMissouri-St.Louis

Selected Honors, Awards, Fellowships, and Publications

202- Bookinprocess: “Flood of Blood”: Slaughter & Survival in Early Virginia 2014 Published Historic St. Louis: 250 Years Exploring New Frontiers (HPN)

2011 Published Founding St. Louis: First City of the New West (HistoryPress)

2011 WonUMSL’ssole“Chancellor’sAwardforExcellenceinTeaching”thatyear

2010 Published The Day Kikotan Became Hampton (PortHamptonPress)

2009 “FoundingSt.Louis,”leadarticlein Gateway Magazine (MissouriHistSoc.)

2009 ElectedpresidentofTheCenterforFrenchColonialStudies 2009-20 Biographypublishedin Who’s Who in America 2007 WonMissouriGovernor’sAwardintheHumanitiesforCommunityHeritage 2007 “BetweenaRock&SlipperySlope:Jamestownat400,”HistoryNewsNetwork 2006 “OriginsofTerrorisminEarlyEnglishAmerica,”HistoryNewsNetwork 2006 Organizer&ProgramChair,9thNorthAmericanFurTradeConference-St.Louis 2005 Essayvotedoneof“greatestin100Years”from Maryland Historical Magazine 2004-6 NEH-fundedPublicLecturer,Lewis&ClarkBicentennialinMO,KS,IA,NE 2004 Discussant,“17thCenturyAtlanticWorld&Virginia”Conference,Williamsburg 2003 “’PacificIntentions’:Lewis&ClarkandtheWesternFurTrade,”inAlanTaylor, Lewis & Clark: Journey to Another America,120-43

2002 Delivered“CaptainJohnSmithKeynoteLecture,”APVA,Jamestown 2001-8 NationalAdvisoryBoard,JamestownRediscoveryArchaeologyProject,APVA 2001 Won“BestArticleoftheYearAward,”MissouriConferenceonHistory 1999 UM-St.LouisResearchScholar,MissouriHistoricalSociety,fallsemester 1997 MellonSummerResearchFellowship,VirginiaHistoricalSociety 1993 Consultantfor 500 Nations,KevinCostner/CBSTVDocumentary 1993-9 MissouriHumanitiesCouncilSpeakers’BureauforPublicOutreachLectures

1990 “’AbundanceofBloodShedonBothSides’:England’sFirstIndianWar1609-14” Virginia Magazine of History and Biography,98.1(Jan),3-56(“BestArticle”)

1989 “MergingandEmergingWorlds:Anglo-IndianInterestGroupsandDevelopment ofthe17th-centuryChesapeake,”inCarr, Colonial Chesapeake Society,47-98 1986 ResearchGrant,NationalAssociationforState&LocalHistory,ResearchinUK

1984 GuestEditor,Special350thAnniversaryIssue, Maryland Historical Magazine

1982-3 NEHResearchFellowshipforCollegeTeachers,Williamsburg

1981

“Opechancanough,”inGaryNash, Struggle & Survival in Colonial America,21-37

1977 “LetterofAdvicetotheGovernorofVirginia,1624,”withJonKukla, William and Mary Quarterly, 34:104-29

1976 InductedintoAlphaofVirginiaChapterofPhiBetaKappa 1970-4 AwardedWoodrowWilsonandNDEAGraduateFellowshipsatWilliamandMary

It isanexcitingtimeforthePierreLacledeHonors College.TherenovationofProvincialHouseisonly oneofthemanywayswearegrowing.OurSt.LouisScholarsscholarareupandrunning.OurWashingtonD.C.summerinternshipprogramisinyear 2andgrowing.OurCulturalTraditionLiving LearningCommunityisoutinthecommunityat bothculturaleventsanddoingserviceprojects. Yourgiftshelpstudentsbeapartofallofthese.

Oneofthemostimportantwaysyourgifthelpsis byfundingourstudents’summercoursework.Our onlymeansofhelpingstudentspursuesummer coursesisthroughyourdonations.Everysummer

seemstosetanewrecordforthenumberof HonorsCollegeStudentswhoapproachusfor assistance.Duetoyoursupport,wehavebeen, thankfully,abletoofferassistancetomostofthem.

So,wekindlyaskyoutoconsidermakingafirst gifttothecollegeifyouhavenotdonatedpreviously,andwehumblythankeveryonefortheir generosityandaskthatyoucontinueassistingus asweassistoutstudents.

Youdonateonlinehereandyoucanalsocontact deanEdMunnSancheztodiscussdifferentgiving opportunities.

Pierre Laclede Honors College ProvincialHouse 1UniversityBoulevard St.Louis,Missouri63121 (314)516-5243 umslhonorsc@umsl.edu